Samson's forthcoming audio recorder... the "Zoom H1"... could make it possible to record extremely good audio in connection with any camcorder, including camcorders that don't feature external microphone inputs.

Most of the hybrid camcorders feature quite acceptable video quality, but their audio recording capability is often crippled. Even the models with external microphone inputs sometimes lack the internal "chops" to record high-quality audio. These Samson audio recorders will change the game.

Why?

Because they're going to be reasonably priced.

I will be pre-ordering one immediately.

As soon as it arrives, I'll test it and I'll synch the audio I record using the Samson H1 device with video recorded by my hybrid camcorders and I'll post the results.

Finally got this as this model has been *delayed* to almost every shipper for the past few weeks.

Disappointed... because there's no "conference" or "lecture" recording mode as there is with my beloved Olympus DS-40.

Sure... the Samson Zoom H1 features .wav recording, 24-bit recording, but even when I set the recording input volume at the highest-possible setting (100), I still can't get the volume I was expecting.

The Olympus DS-40, meanwhile, features a marvelous "conference" recording mode that makes the microphone go *extra* sensitive for picking up all sound in a room.

When I ordered the Samson Zoom H1, I thought the pictures of the unit looked pretty cool.

But pictures can be deceiving.

In my hands, the unit feels more like a "toy" than a well-built electronic device.

In contrast, my Olympus recorders feel more substantial.

I forgot to clarify that in addition to the "conference" recording mode, the Olympus recorders also have an amazing "lecture" recording mode that makes the microphone go *super* sensitive... to the point where it can hear a pin drop.

I'm going to side with Private Idaho on this one.. the reason being that I also have an Olympus DS-40 that I bought in 2008.
I've used it for many hours to record and playback podcasts, sound effects, also used it along with a camera for clear audio recordings.. and what I am most amazed is.. the battery meter still shows full! It's the original pack of batteries that came with the device, and I have not changed them so far :-D

The new model does look more professional, but my DS-40 doesn't want to die, so why change it.

This "conference" recording mode of the Olympus recorders is quite interesting.

It seems to make the built-in microphone functions much like a PZM (pressure-zone-microphone).

An example of a PZM microphone is the Crown "Sound Grabber II."

Crown's microphones have been transferred by the corporate owner, Harman, under the AKG umbrella. So I wouldn't be surprised if the "Sound Grabber II" microphones will eventually come in packaging re-labeled as AKG.

This type of microphone actually makes use of any rigid, flat surface -- a table, a floor, a sheet of plexiglass. You just set the microphone and its detachable plastic paddle onto any flat, rigid surface and the sound pickup will get everything in the room.

Well, the Olympus recorders -- with their "lecture" setting -- seem to have the same capability... the ability to grab everything in the room.